Playing Games

Most of us idly play games on our smartphones in our spare time. Though playing these super-addictive games do not serve any purpose other than killing time, what if we tell you that playing games can help you earn extra money? According to a report, the gaming market generated $108.9 billion in 2017. This proves there is a great scope for gamers in the future.

Surprisingly, there is no catch involved. Players can make modest money by simply playing games or exhibiting their knowledge of different sports. Moreover, they have the flexibility to do so whenever time and their schedule permits.

Here is a list of five online platforms that allow users to earn money and rewards by playing games online:

#1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a rewards and loyalty-program that pays users in both, cash and gift cards for doing everyday things online. It is essentially a search engine that rewards you for using it instead of Google and Yahoo! Search. Swagbucks was launched in 2008 and since then, the platform has paid over $250 million in rewards to its 20 million members.

The company claims it gives away 7000 gift cards every day. The service is available on desktop, mobile, and as a browser extension.

How It Works: Log into Swagbucks and go to the gaming section. Swagbucks pays you to play free games as well as paid games on the Game Show Network (GSN). Players can earn SB points by simply installing and completing tasks in free games. In paid games, every dollar you spend on in-game purchases earns you 12 SB points.

These points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards at 140 stores including Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, The Home Depot, and Target.

Apart from playing games, members are also rewarded for answering surveys and polls, shopping online, watching videos, and simply surfing the web.

#2. Bananatic

Bananatic is basically a reviewing platform that gives you the opportunity to play online games, review them, and win prizes. Every time you write game reviews or complete in-game tasks, you earn bananas – the virtual currency of Bananatic.

Bananas can be exchanged for rewards. These rewards include the best games available online, Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) skins, game hardware, CD-Keys, game currencies, Steam gift cards, and Amazon gift cards. The company website claims that more than 165,000 players have redeemed awards worth over $151,000 from Bananatic so far.

How It Works: Create an account. Choose the game you want to play. The games section has several categories like Sci-fi, Action, Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMO), and Strategy. When you complete a quest, you are rewarded with bananas that can be exchanged for gifts. You don’t actually earn cash, but you earn gifts and free gaming items.

#3. Game Tester

A few platforms also award members for testing games. Game Tester is one such platform where gaming companies (or developers) interact with gamers who test games before they are released in the market. Testers play games to identify glitches and give feedbacks. Developers then make the necessary changes to deliver an improved version of the game.

Testing a game is not only about playing and reviewing whether it is fun or boring. It is a complicated process that includes finding bugs overlooked by developers and checking device compatibility and operating system configuration. To test a game in Game Tester, users must complete their profile first. Available tests will be shown on their dashboards. They may accept up to three tests in 24 hours.

How it Works: Create an account on Game Tester. Play games and offer feedback. Answer questions like – Did you like the game? Do you think it is worth $60? Would you recommend it to a friend? What is the scope for improvement? In return for your feedback, you will get three rewards – GT Coin, Gold, and Experience.

GT Coin can be used to buy products in the Game Tester Shop or exchanged for other currencies. Gold is used to buy vouchers and pre-paid cards and unlock certain features on the platform. Experience gives testers experience points to upgrade their account and get other benefits.

#4. Dream11

With more than 40 million members, Dream11 is one of the biggest fantasy sports platforms where users can play fantasy cricket, football, basketball and kabaddi. Members can create a team of 11 players and participate in fantasy matches and tournaments. They earn points depending on how the players perform on the field.

Remember, the fantasy matches are an extension of actual matches happening in real life. The contest closes one hour before the actual game starts.

How It Works: Create a Dream11 account. You must be 18 years of age or above to participate in the matches. Before you start playing, verify your mobile number and your PAN card details. After seven days, your bank account will be linked to your gaming account. In the meantime, players can still play and earn money.

Once you are done with the registration, log into your account and select any of the upcoming matches. Then create a team within the budget of the allotted 100 credits. Players can create 5 teams for a single match and join multiple contests after paying a certain fee.

Based on how the players perform, you will earn positive or negative points. At the end of the match, members can see their final position in the league and the total money they have won in the match. One user claims he earned $13 within six days of playing the game, while another claims he earned over $168,000 in three years on this platform.

#5. Twitch

Twitch is a platform that allows gamers to livestream videos of them playing games. Amateur gamers can watch these videos to understand the game strategy. Streamers combine their knowledge of the game with entertaining audio commentary to attract and retain the audience.

How It Works: Create your own channel on Twitch by entering your details. Depending on the kind of viewers you want to attract, set an audio commentary tone for your video. The tone of the video depends on how the broadcasters want to help viewers get through a game. They can choose serious commentary or friendly banter. Twitch also has chat support and forums, where viewers can get in touch with broadcasters with their queries on playing a particular game.

Broadcasters make money from the ad revenue their channels make. They also make money through affiliate links on their videos to the products and services of gaming companies. Broadcasters who have a huge following get sponsorship offers from gaming brands. A few gaming companies offer free games, equipment and cash payments to broadcasters.

#6. Pawns.app

Are you a hardcore game streamer with a growing following on Twitch or YouTube? Are you trying to figure out the best way to monetize your channel? It’s time to put your audience to good use and boost your income. There’s no better way to do that than with the affiliate program at Pawns.app. 

Getting cash in your pocket is as simple as telling everyone how easy it is to make money on the platform. After all, what’s so challenging about sharing an internet connection or answering easy survey questions? 

How do you get people interested? Well, they’ll jump on the chance of a $1 starting gift. And when they register with your link and earn, you’ll enjoy a lifetime bonus of 20% of their earnings! Now, isn’t that the essence of earning passive income? We surely believe so!

Make sure your viewers know that all they have to do to earn some moolah is by installing the app on their internet-connected computer or mobile device. As long as the app runs in the background, money won’t ever stop rolling in. And who knows? Your followers might have a large swath of friends, so they’ll surely benefit from sharing their affiliate links, too!

Conclusion

If you love playing games or have a fair amount of knowledge about a sport, leverage your hobby and knowledge to generate a decent side income. Though you may not become an international gaming sensation overnight or start earning millions right away, using your hobby to earn a bit of extra cash is a reasonable idea. Log into any of the above mentioned online platforms and start playing your favorite game to earn money for something you are already doing for free.